Some Music about New Things

A New Name Written Down in Glory

 

The Voice of God

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But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

In my recent reading, I learned that God’s voice was present before the written Word of God.

In the book of Genesis, we see several instances of God saying the words and the world came into being. (Genesis 1)

Moses heard God’s voice when he chose to investigate the bush that burned but was not consumed. (Exodus 3)

Moses heard God’s voice call him up to the mountaintop to give him the stone tablets with the 10 Commandments inscribed on them. (Exodus 19)

Abraham heard God’s voice when God instructed him to move away from his homeland. God did not reveal Abraham’s destination at that time.

Abraham heard God speak to him when God told him to take Isaac and go to Mount Moriah and sacrifice Isaac. (Genesis 22)

Samuel heard God’s voice when he was a small boy. His mentor, Eli did not recognize it to be God’s voice at first. (1 Samuel 3)

Samuel heard God’s voice another time when he was searching for someone to replace King Saul. ( 1 Samuel 16:7)

Can we hear God’s voice today? Yes, we can, if we listen and learn to recognize it.

To recognize the Voice of God, we must be actively pursuing Him. We do that through prayer and worship.

In my walk with Christ, I have had numerous times of hearing God’s voice. Some of those times, I was like Eli. I did not recognize it as God speaking to me.

God’s speaking to me at one time kept me from participating in an activity at a church I was in. He had a reason I was to be home that evening. Because of my decision not to attend, I was home to hear that my dad was having heart issues. That led to Hubby and me taking him for an appointment that led to heart surgery. It was later that I realized that God had guided me to be home when Dad called and said he needed to talk to us.

Coming out of the shutdown of our state courtesy of this pandemic in mid- May, I contacted my hairstylist to see if she had opened her shop. She had not and, if she did, it would be early June, and not before. A short while later the thought came to me that she was not going to open again. Toward the end of May, she called me. I casually asked her if she had made her decision. “That’s why I am calling you. I have officially retired from the hair business.” I was not surprised. I realized later why. It came to me that God had spoken to me. I am sure He spoke to her as well.

When God speaks to us, His children, we must listen.                                                                                                                             

New Heaven and New Earth

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For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. Isaiah 65:17 (ESV)

God calls our attention to the fact that He has made something new for His children. Could He be speaking of when we arrive in heaven? Yes, He is. Can He be speaking of the new heaven and new earth that we read about in Revelation? Again, yes, He is.

I recently had a special friend enter heaven. One of the thoughts I had about her being there was “She won’t remember the terrible things that happened to her when she was a child.” I do not feel free to share her story about her childhood except to say she suffered abuse.

While we live on earth we might have a memory or memories of which we cannot let go. We read where we can give them to God, but, because we are human, we sometimes take them back. However, when we enter His domain, heaven, he takes all our anxiety-causing moments and tosses them away. Those who enter heaven truly do not have a care in the world.

As believers, we look forward to the time when we will see Jesus, face to face.  Let us all practice giving our hurts to God and leaving them with Him. Following this habit will make our lives easier.

The Preciousness of Life

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My thoughts as a friend’s family is called to her hospital bedside. She suffered a heart attack about twelve hours ago.This means she will be leaving her family her church family and entering heaven very soon. This fact brings several thoughts to my mind.

Her name is Loretta. She encouraged me many times over the 30+ years we have known each other. She prayed for my family on many occasions. Her husband was my Sunday school teacher for several years.

1.)           She will see Jesus. Also, she will see her mother, her husband’s mother, several of the ladies who went our old church, and our friend Greg, who spent most of his earthly life wheelchair bound. (I always said that when he got there, he would dance with all the women.) I believe they will all be waiting to greet her on the other side of those pearly gates.

2.)           How precious life is, God decides the number of days we have before our first one. Sometimes, humans do things shorten that number. Other times we see people who live out those 70 or 80 years allotted to us. Then, there are those who are blessed by receiving more.

3.)           Because God loves us, we are to love one another. This is a command given by Jesus Christ Himself.

4.)           We are not to hold grudges against others. We are to forgive them as God forgave us.

5.)           We are to stop and enjoy what God has given us. When a neighbor or a friend receives something new, we are to be happy for them.

6.)           We should tell our families that we love them. They might know it, but it is nice to hear. It may be the last thing we say to them.

7.)           If we have issues with someone, we should give them to God and let Him handle them for us as He chooses.

8.)           If there is something we don’t understand about another person, we should tell God about it. If He wants us to know the details, He will arrange things so we learn what we need to know.

She went to heaven a little over 12 hours after her family was called in. All of her family and her church family will miss her but we all know that God called this dear lady home.

Her funeral is late this morning, January 12, 2018.

Times of Refreshing Come from the Lord

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“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19 (NIV)

            Peter and John had healed a beggar at the entrance to the temple. The people came running toward the duo and the healed beggar.

           

            He spoke to the crowd about their part in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He reminded them that they disowned Christ before Pilate, although he had decided to let Jesus go. He then told the crowd to: “”Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

            The priests, the captain of the temple guards, and the Sadducees spoke to Peter and John. This message disturbed the officials. The two men wound up in jail.

            Isn’t Peter’s message relevant to our world today? When we as Christians realize things are out of synch, not quite as they should be, in our lives, the first thing we need to do is to search within us to discover if the issue begins with our hearts.

            The next step we have to take is to seek God’s forgiveness. This involves confessing any sin we find in our hearts. The passage tells us to repent. To repent simply means to turn away from something evil, to never do it again.

            When we go through this process, we allow God to come into our hearts and refresh us. The pray, confess, and repent process has to be a daily practice. As time grows closer to that time chosen by God for Jesus to return to earth and set up His kingdom, let us all be more open to the need for repentance and refreshing from the Holy Spirit.

Heaven is Richer, A Memorial Poem

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While I was unplugged, we were on vacation. A friend texted me and told me our brother-in-Christ, Greg E. had to be admitted to one of our hospitals and was in ICU. Greg had a car wreck in the 1970's and was severely injured. When I met him, he was confined to a power chair due to his quadriplegia. He was paralyzed from the chest down. He was a man of God. He always shared what God had put   on his heart. I penned these words as a form of being thankful that  I  had the privilege of knowing Greg and his wonderful mother and son. When I shared this with our pastor, he asked me to allow him to read if, quoting me, during the memorial service. Now, those of us here get to pray that God will raise up others like Greg E. to continue working in His Kingdom.  

Last week, heaven admitted our friend.

The Lord asked him the question

He will ask each of us one day.

Greg’s journey, though t’was hard, is over.

We are not sad, you see, ‘cause we know

He lived his life for our Lord.

He prayed for each of us.

When he prayed, we knew God listened.

Down here, his body was confined,

However, his spirit was not.

Now, he runs foot races with the men

And dances with every woman.

He’s in our cloud of witnesses,

Watching us as we serve Jesus.

We are richer for knowing him

And now heaven is richer still.

By Cecelia Lester

Written in memory of Greg Ellis who passed from this world into his eternal home on August 26, 2016. 

Rest in Peace Mary Emma

I stopped in at the church office to get some room numbers of people who were in the hospital. Alice, the secretary on duty, asked if my friend Martha had talked to me in the previous hour. I replied she hadn’t.

Alice then told me the news, “Mary Emma Taylor had passed away.”

On my drive home, I thought about how old she was. “Ninety-one years old.” Later, I would look at the picture we have of her and her husband. He stood up with a friend when that friend got remarried. They were dressed up and smiling. I will remember them both that way.

When I arrived home, Hubby looked at me and I knew someone had told him. Martha had called; Loretta had also called. When I checked our caller ID, I saw that Vicki had called. I returned Martha’s and Loretta’s calls. When I tried Vicki’s number, I got her voicemail and left a message.

She and Bernard were married for 65 years. Her husband had predeceased her. Both of them had helped each other through several serious health crises and always had a great attitude. They helped those around them. Sometimes all she would do was listen. When she gave guidance, it was from her heart.

Those who knew and loved her will miss her. But, I see her standing by her house in heaven smiling her sweet smile and talking to all who pass by. I know that when any of us who knew her, worked with her, loved her will enter into heaven, she will be there waiting for us. In the meantime, she is in our cloud of witnesses, urging us on to do what God has planned for us.

Graphic: www.fantom-xp.com

Hope Stored Up In Heaven

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

 because we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ and of the love 

you have for all saints-the faith and love that springs from the hope 

that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard

about in the word of truth the gospel that has come to you.”

Colossians 1:3-5 (NIV)

“We always thank God. . .” Paul writes to the Colossian believers that he and his ministry team express their thanks to the Father of us all. He wrote them to combat the false teaching that had infiltrated the church.

 

“. . . the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .”He affirms the relationship of God and His Son, Jesus.

 “. . . when we pray for you . . .” The apostle tells them that the ministry team prays for them. Can you imagine how honored that made the people feel? I decided a long time ago that the nicest thing a person could say to another was, “I’ll pray for you.” Or even, “May I pray for you?” 

“ . . we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ. . .” People heard of deeds the believers performed because of their faith in Jesus. Do we exhibit our faith to others? Can those around us see our faith as we work, minister, or in our leisure?

“. . . of the love you have for all saints. . .” Word of their love for others traveled to Rome, where Paul was in prison. People were impressed with the Colossian church and the way they were received.

“. . . faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. . .” Paul recognizes that the motivation of the Colossian believers is faith and love. He claims the basis of this love and faith is hope that is stored up for them in heaven. Do all our actions grow out of our faith and love for Jesus and our fellow humans? Does our hope in heaven keep us strong and able to meet our trials head on?

 “ . . already heard about in the word of truth the gospel that has come to you.” The Colossian believers applied what they had heard from Paul through the teachings of Epapharas, who had heard Paul’s preaching and was among those converted by him. Do we apply what we learn through Bible studies and sermons we hear to our hearts and carry out the messages we receive?

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both graphics from annebender.blogspot.com

Grace Abounds

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               “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

               “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you are ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 (MSG)

               I love the news I hear in this verse. Can you imagine God making ALL grace come to us?  He’s God; He’s sovereign. What I receive in these two translations is that:

“God is able. . .” He can grant us peace, make us safe, and use us because—

“ . . to make all grace . . .” all grace-grace for all things not matter how small or large our need.

“. . . abound to you . . .” God’s grace is in abundance. His storehouse of grace is vast and is available to us whenever we need to access it. This grace is so evident that we can feel it, see it, or sometimes taste it.       

“. . . in all things . . .” God grants us grace for each task we do, whatever the size or importance.

“. . . at all times . . .” whenever we need His grace. God doesn’t keep office hours-if we need him in the wee hours of the morning, He’s there.

“. . . having all you need . . .” When we have God and His grace we don’t need anything else. This grace is ours whatever our situation.

“. . . you will abound. . . . .” When we are in the Lord’s Will, we will overcome issues that would enter our lives and plague us.

“. . . in every good work.” God guides us in each task He sends our way. It is our task to go into His presence, present our requests and wait for God to shower us with His grace.

Heaven Changes Everything Book Review

 

Todd and Sonja Burpo have written a devotional-reader containing inspirational thoughts aligned with sections of their first book, Heaven Is For Real. 

Each short chapter begins with an excerpt from Heaven Is for Real.then either Todd or Sonja expands on that excerpt. They wrap up each chapter by presenting a question or a thought to the readers and including a scripture verse.

 This book gave me a view of a family and their life after a medical involving their small child.

 What I read challenged, inspired and enlightened me. The Burpos gave me opportunity to think about the reality of heaven. I knew it existed but this book presented a few concepts I had not thought about before. The authors held my attention; Instead of pacing myself and taking a few days to study this book. I found myself starting it one day and finishing it the next.

 The Burpos present the devotional readings in a very casual, conversational way. They tell of the prayers that went up for their son and how one nurse decided “there [is]a God because this is a miracle.” At the end of each reading is a verse or passage of scripture that magnifies the topic of that section.

 
Iwould recommend this book to those who work with children, young parents serious in their faith, and children’s ministers.


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     I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through its Booksneeze program in return for a honest appraisal of this book.

God Guides the Ones Who Obey

 

 

“Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.” Psalm 73:23, 24 (NIV)

This is a psalm of Asaph, a Gershonite Levite choir leader. Twelve of the Psalms have been assigned to him. Gershon was a son of Levi. Asaph had gotten discouraged by the wicked people always prospering. As he enters God’s sanctuary, he repents of his ‘attitude’ and makes the statement that is our focus passage.

“. . . I am always with you. . . “Asaph was truly committed to God. Can we say the same thing?

” . . . you hold me by my right hand.” When young people are dating, they sometimes hold hands. When an older person is unsteady on their feet, a companion will hold their hand while walking. God holds us by our hand as we go through difficult circumstances of life. When we follow God’s direction through the valleys of life, we gain wisdom and strength.

“. . . afterward you will take me into glory.” This is Asaph’s statement of faith. He knows God will do as He has said.  As 21st Century disciples, we need to remember that our final destination is with God in heaven.

“You guide me with your counsel. . .” God speaks to Asaph and imparts wisdom to him. With Asaph being a worker in the house of the Lord, I believe he and God had many occasions in which God talked and Asaph listened. Even today, we have times where we seek his counsel and, in order to hear what God tells us, we have to listen.

Obeying God’s Will

 

 

 

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

1 John 2:17 (NIV)

“The world and its desires pass away. . .” A few years ago, I watched a documentary on television that showed what happened to concrete if it was let alone and nothing was done to it and its surroundings. Time photography showed it morphing back into its original state- that of soil and vegetation. Our desires change as we mature. So it is with the desires of our world. Our wishes began to be seen in the light of reality.

”. . . .the man who does the will of God lives forever.” John tells his readers, including us, the reward of following God’s will is eternal life. Simply stated, if we obey the Father, follow His guidance for our lives, and live out that will before others, we will be granted entry into His heavenly home.

When we realize we may have not obeyed God, we still can humble ourselves before Him and say we are sorry for not following His direction. He will forgive us and erase the transgression from our slate and allow us to enjoy His presence for the present and for the length of eternity.

Kenny L.’s in the Church Triumphant

A child going to Heaven

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1 (KJV)


Those of our church family have another friend who will be waiting for us when it’s our turn to enter Heaven. He and his wife will greet us, He, with his great big smile and a great big bear hug. She, with her beautiful smile and quiet presence.

We didn’t know he was as ill as he was until about three weeks ago. He will always be remembered for his trademark sense of humor and his gentle caring attitude. He teased those he loved; some of us he REALLY loved.

Kenny lived a full life with lots of activity. He had been a Boy Scout leader, working with some who became Eagle Scouts. He had worked as a school custodian for several years. There he took the time to listen to all who needed guidance.

He, his late wife, and their son chose to drive from another town every Sunday to worship with us. Almost five years ago, he went through a major health crisis. During that ordeal, his family almost lost him four times. God allowed him to stay with us these five years. It has been our privilege and blessing to have him with us since his other serious illness.

A dear friend called me late in the afternoon the day of the funeral. She had accompanied two others down to the town Kenny and his family called home for the calling the night before. She commented on the picture boards. All the pictures showed Kenny and Sue Ann smiling and enjoying life.

Kenny lived his faith. Our pastor told of the last time he went to see him. Pastor John said, “I’ll see you, Kenny. Kenny didn’t miss a beat. “I’ll see you, John, in heaven.”

Those who were able to visit him in the hospital came back and told us the same thing. Kenny was ready to go to Heaven and spend time with Jesus and with his wonderful wife.

His children chose to bring Kenny to church for his celebration of life. His son, Kelly, still had the bulletin from Sue Ann’s service almost three years ago. It was Kelly’s wish to have the same music for his dad’s service.

Kenny was ready to go to heaven. He lived his faith every day. It is my wish that everyone would have that outlook.
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Note: Transferred to the Church Triumphant was on the face of the bulletin for this home going. I have seen it used for other funerals at the church.

Name Above All Names

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name.”

Philippians 2:9 (NIV)



As I grew up, movie theaters were a major place of gathering for teens. If friends saw each other there, one would save a seat for the other. When a local theater was refurbished, the campaign to replace the seats carried the name. “I’ll save you a seat.” Have you been invited to sit in church with a friend? When it happens to me, it always makes me feel special.

Because Jesus took on all our sins, God raised the Son and gave Him the seat next to Himself. He saved the most special place for the one who became Sin for us, the one who obeyed Him.

Because Jesus Christ is the name above all names, God’s children honor it.

Heaven Is Richer

Heaven is richer because Mark Shreves is there. While his family will miss him, we can rejoice that he’s with God. He loved his family. He always smiled when he saw his friends. If it had been a long while, he made you feel that it had been a few days since your last conversation.

Seeing him in church with his one granddaughter on his knee told me he was a happy man who enjoyed his family.

I picture Mark being let into Heaven and looking around and saying, “Wow, so this is my real home. It’s far more beautiful than I expected.”

Mark gets to talk to God, face to face. He tells Him about his wonderful family, his sweet mother and father, his darling wife, his children and his very delightful grandchildren.

Next he tells about the people at his church and how they loved him through these last 22 months. Mark tells God how he missed his family and asks the Father of us all to stay very close to them.

God then wraps His loving arms around Mark and says, “’You have fought the good fight.’ Welcome home.”